The Township hereby finds that tall grass and weeds can have
a blighting effect on neighborhoods and can provide a refuge for vermin
and insects. The purpose of this article is to secure the public health,
safety and general welfare of the residents and property owners of
Bear Creek Township by regulating the height grass and weeds are allowed
to grow in certain areas of the Township in which more people reside
in close proximity.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
GRASS
Any type of grass or weed, but not including crops grown
as a source of income, including, but not limited to, corn, oats or
barley.
LAND USED FOR AGRICULTURE
The use of land for tilling of the soil, the raising of field
or tree crops or animal husbandry as a source of income.
OCCUPANT
Any person who has the right to occupy a parcel of property
due to being an owner or pursuant to a verbal or written lease or
rental agreement with the owner or agent thereof.
OWNER
Any person holding an ownership interest in land in the Township
of Bear Creek upon which there is tall grass growing. For the purposes
of this article, the name and address listed on the Township tax assessment
roll shall indicate ownership interest in such land.
WEEDS
Includes Canada thistle (Circium arvense), dodders (any species
of Cuscuta), mustards (charlock, black mustard and Indian mustard,
species of Brassica or Sinapis), wild carrot (Daucus carota), bindweed
(Convolvulus arvensis), perennial sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis), hoary
alyssurn (Berteroa incana), ragweed (Ambrosia elatior 1) and poison
ivy (Rhus toxicodendron), poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) or other
plant, any of which is in the opinion of the Township Board, comes
under the provisions of the Noxious Weeds Act, Public Act 359 of 1941,
as amended (MCL 247.61 et seq.), including grass over eight inches
in height, other than that part of a vegetable or flower garden, is
regarded as a common nuisance.
The owner and/or occupants of land to which this article applies
shall not allow tall grass or weeds to grow over eight inches in height
throughout the growing season, including grass and weeds in the right-of-way,
and it shall be the duty of all owners and/or occupants of land located
in Bear Creek Township either to cut or otherwise destroy by lawful
means all tall "grass" and "weeds," as defined in this article, which
are growing upon said property before they reach a seed-bearing stage,
and to prevent said weeds from perpetuating themselves and from becoming
a detriment to public health. On an undeveloped lot, tall grass and
weeds must be cut back at a distance of at least 30 feet from the
roadway so as to allow a clear line of site.
It shall be unlawful for the owner and/or occupant of any lot
or parcel of land to which this article applies to allow or maintain
upon any portion of such lot or parcel any growth of tall "grass"
or "weeds" as defined herein, or to permit the deposit or accumulation
upon any portion of such lot or parcel of land of any brush, yard
debris, dead vegetation, or cut grass or weeds so as to create a nuisance
due to unsightliness, an unhealthy or unsafe condition, or traffic
hazard, or fire hazard. Growth of grass to a length greater than eight
inches shall be considered to be a nuisance for the purposes of this
section.